Dux Somnium Games has launched a new board game on Kickstarter, Botany: Flower Hunting in the Victorian Era, and has already surpassed its funding goal with over US$150,000 pledged by over 2,000 backers with 27 days still to go.
In Botany, players take on the role of a plant hunter in the Victorian Era as they travel the world in search of fame, fortune, and the coveted Queen’s Prize in Botany. Each turn, players will move around the board to the locations designated on the Specimen cards in their hand, managing their expedition funds, overcoming events, and acquiring items, crew, and pets to help them along their journey. Each time players return to their estate, they will add their live and pressed specimens to their garden and build garden features such as orangeries and conservatories.
One of the standout features of the game is its stunning Victorian artwork, which immerses players in the fascinating world of Victorian plant hunters. Through the use of historical illustrations and photography, players will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of flowers from all corners of the globe.
Despite the game’s intricate and immersive details, it has been designed with a simple and intuitive rule system, allowing players to quickly learn the game and jump right into the action without the need to read lengthy rule books. The randomized specimens to collect and various paths to victory mean that each expedition is a fresh and unique experience, providing players with exciting gameplay and lots of replayability.
In addition to the gameplay, the materials used in the game’s construction have been chosen for their durability and quality, ensuring that the game can be enjoyed for years to come. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the game, from the intricate illustrations on the game pieces to the beautiful design of the game board. Playing the game is not just a fun activity but a true sensory experience that transports players back in time to the Victorian Era.
Botany’s characters and events paint a story as players traverse the globe to become the ultimate flower hunter. The lives of Victorian plant hunters were filled with adventure and danger, and the game’s events are loosely based on real-life occurrences. Players can expect to face risks such as accidentally poisoning themselves with newly discovered plants or being forced to eat their leather boots to survive.